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Stable staff saddle up for charity race at Doncaster


Racing Staff Week, supported by Betfair: 25 June – 01 July ’22.

The sixth annual Racing Staff Week, launched on Saturday 25 June by charity Racing Welfare, celebrates the hard work and contribution of everyone working in the horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industry. The initiative is generously supported by Betfair.

One of the feature events of the week is the charity raceday taking place on Friday 1 July at Doncaster racecourse. The raceday plays host to the Betfair Clock Tower Cup, a charity race which sees 12 members of stable staff taking part and raising funds for Racing Welfare.

Preparing to take on the challenge is nineteen-year-old Rebecca Burley. Rebecca, who works for North Yorkshire trainer Tim Easterby, explains why she chose to sign up for this year’s race: “I’m so grateful to Racing Welfare for the opportunity to ride in the Betfair Clock Tower Cup, it is something I have always dreamed of doing. It’s going to be such a special day, my Dad is coming over from Ireland especially to watch me ride.

“This is going to be an amazing experience for me and it’s just wonderful to raise money for a charity that have helped me so much during my career in racing so far. Not only am I supported through living in one of their Racing Homes properties, I also have a great relationship with both my local Welfare Officers, Harriet and Sarah, who have been so helpful with various issues – we have lots of chats and I know they are always there for me.”

Meet all 12 riders taking part in this year’s charity race at https://www.racingstaffweek.com/stable-staff-races/. The race is scheduled to take place at the end of the day’s racing, at approximately 5pm.

As part of the Betfair Clock Tower Cup raceday, there will be a live and silent auction taking place at Doncaster racecourse. Anyone wishing to support the event is invited to submit bids in the silent auction, with all lots available to browse at: www.clocktowercuprw22.com. Racing Welfare are also welcoming absentee bids for one live lot – the opportunity to name a character in the next “Dick Francis” novel by Felix Francis. The unique lot includes lunch for two with Felix to discuss the character, an autographed pre-publication copy of the finished book, and an invitation for two to the book launch party in London in September 2023 where the lot winner will rub shoulders with racing, TV and literary celebrities. Absentee bids of at least £2,500 must be lodged with Clare Kingston ckingston@racingwelfare.co.uk by Friday 1st July.

Find out more about Racing Staff Week and the activities taking place throughout the week, at www.racingstaffweek.com and follow the #RacingStaffWeek and #WeAreRacing hashtags on social media for updates.